To Kill A Mockingbird Journal Eight

Journal #8

Chapters 25-27

Perspective of Judge Taylor

I was aroused from my slumber by Mrs. Taylor, who had come home to see me collapsed in my chair, my hand resting protectively over the butt of my gun and the writings of Bob Taylor strewn across my lap. She was erratic, poor Mrs. Taylor had came back from church and had been scared out of her mind at the sight. I was comforting her when she asked me what had gotten me to take out the gun that we keep in the house, only for protection.

I had been reading up on the work of Bob Taylor, an author of which I was completely immersed in when a repetitive scratching noise was irritating enough to distracted me from my studies. After absentmindedly hushing Ann Taylor and the noise sustained, I went around to the rear of the house, looking for efforts to silence it. Ann Taylor at my side, I walked along to the back porch to let her out and found the screen door swinging open. From the corner of my eye I had seen a shadow dash by the edge of the house, but as I was too old to chase after I took no pursuit; instead grabbing my gun should it have come again.

Although the obscure shadow and the scratching noise was nothing but a worry for a "suspicious old man", as Mrs. Taylor had said, it still made me feel cautious enough to take precautions. I was on my guard more often and had even taken measures to bolt the doors at night. Especially after Tom Robinson's case, many a black man could have some malicious feelings for me. I had nothing to do with the verdict, although I knew the outcome was inevitable, even with Atticus on the case.

Although I have no evidence against him, Bob Ewell could have also been the suspicious shadow. He has been giving me a certain look every time I pass him on the street. I do not know why he would have anything against me, although Bob has outwardly expressed his feelings against Atticus. The idea is improbable though.

I am going to pick up where I left off on the writings of Bob Taylor. Hopefuly there will be no further trouble.

To Kill a Mockingbird Journal Seven

Journal #7

Chapters 18-21

Choice B

Tell how the characters respond to the jury's verdict.

Jem

After the jury reached the verdict that Tom Robinson was guilty, Jem was obviously the most impacted by their decision. Immediately after Atticus left the building he started sobbing subsequently. Atticus knew they would lose and that Jem would feel bad that they lost because he told them to take as long as they needed to eat dinner, but the jury didn't make a decision until it was 11pm. Jem was the most disappointed because he was very certain that the defendant would win and was, out of Scout and Dill, almost as dedicated to the case as Atticus was.

Aunt Alexandra

Although Aunt Alexandra expressed her sympathy towards Atticus, she was more concerned that Scout and Jem and Dill went to the case. She felt that they were too young to be witness to a rape case. But you could tell that she was also sorry about the result because when she first saw Atticus that night she subtly said, "I'm sorry, brother." She never called Atticus brother before and so that meant that she was deeply sympathetic.

Dill

Dill, although he was also concerned and disappointed about the results, did not understand the case as well as Dill or Scout, and had to continue to ask Jem what was going on, or what did that mean, during the case. I think that he was more concerned because his friends were, but in reality Atticus was not his father and Maycomb was not his hometown.

Miss Maudie

Miss Maudie did not go to the case but when she called over Scout, Dill, and Jem, she knew that Jem needed an extra boost so she gave him a bigger piece of cake. She also had faith in the community, more than Jem did. When Jem said he the illusions he had about Maycomb had been shattered because the verdict was a result of the prejudice jury, Miss Maudie mentions that there were people who tried to help, such as Judge Taylor who appointed Atticus as the defending lawyer because he knew that he would have the most chance of winning.

Bob Ewell

Even though the jury voted Tom Robinson guilty Bob Ewell was still angry because Atticus revealed everything about him; he told the public about his personal life, how he abuses his children, that he was a drunk pauper. Most of Maycomb was in the courtroom, and if anyone did not go they would have found out, so the whole town knew about everything he did and the predicaments he lived in, which was why he spit on Atticus.

To kill a Mockingbird Journal Six

Journal #6

Chapters 16 - 17

Option C

How do you think the story would have changed if Scout and Jem had a mother present in their lives? Would it change for the better or for the worse?

Scout and Jem have grown up without their mother for as long as they can remember. Many motherly figures have stepped in to the role, such as Calpurnia, who eventually took up the authoritative position of tyrannical mother. Eventually Aunt Alexandra also willingly and complacently moved in with Scout, Jem, and Atticus because she felt that the children needed a motherly portrayal. While all of these women have contributed to Jem and Scout's childhood, we never know if it would have been different with their real mother. There are so many factors that contribute to how this plot plays out that if Jem and Scout's mother was not dead, the entire story could be different.

Certainly if Scout and Jem had a mother around they would grow up differently. This could affect their personalities as well. Scout, who is extremely fearless and not at all soft-spoken, would have become perhaps more amiable and temperate. Jem who takes interest in football and is drifting away from Scout as he matures, probably would be more close to his family. Jem also begrudges others fathers because his own seemed incompetent, and when Atticus does show his ability to shoot Jem becomes loyal to him and wants to be just like him. If Scout's mother were around, Scout might feel the same way about her and want to grow up just like her.

If all this were true, Scout would probably not hang out with Jem as much because their different personalities and interests. So far in the book, a lot would be encumbered by this, starting with the very first time they met Dill, because Scout would not be around and Dill would not fall in love with her, therefore not finding as much of a reason to visit Maycomb. Dill also got them into many adventures, starting with Boo Radley. I doubt Scout or Jem would have found such interest in the Radley house as Dill did, or even muster up enough courage to do so. The Radleys would have faded into obliviousness in Scout and Jem's minds. Scout would also not have guilted the mob at the county jailhouse into dispersing because she would have probably been too frightened of the crowd among her father.

Also, Calpurnia would never have been hired and therefore Scout and Jem might not have known as much acceptance of the African Americans, unlike the other people of Maycomb. Aunt Alexandera would have never had to come to make Scout more proper because she already would have a mother to do that.

Overall, I believe that having a mother would indeed change the story very much, because while Atticus would still have the case for Tom Robinson, Scout and Jem and Dill would not be there to make it interesting. Boo Radley would also never be introduced and pondered upon. This all would make the story very dull, so I think that having a mother would change the story for the worse. The author always has a reason for what they write.

To Kill A Mockingbird Journal Four

Journal #4

Chapters 10-11

Perspective of Jem

Journal,

I just can't stop thinking about that rifle in Atticus's hands, how he pulled the trigger with one fluid motion and the way that mad dog crumpled on the sidewalk. It was amazing how he swiftly he pulled the trigger and raised the gun to his shoulder, and without his glasses! Whenever me and Scout shoot it takes me ten minutes to aim. But Atticus just relaxed all over and the gun looked like a part of him. I had never even known he could shoot; the skill had been inconspicuous until now. I had thought that since he didn't like guns and rifles so much that he couldn't shoot from a foot away. But boy! That mad dog was a'most a street away! Miss Maudie told me he don't like guns because with him and his talent, he feels it gives him an unfair advantage over living creature. Scout tried to contradict her, but I knew Atticus was a gentleman and I r'spected him for it. I guess I'm a gentleman, just like him!

Me an' Scout were walkin' to go use up my birthday money the other day when we went past Ms. Dubose house. That cantankerous old bat started yellin' at us (as usual) but this time she started talking about Atticus. She started calling him names and giving us grief for how he was defending a Negro. When she went and said that I urged tell her off, but I held my tongue, trying to be a gentleman. But when she said Atticus was do better than the trash that he worked for, that really set me off. Coming back from town I grabbed Scout's new baton and started hacking her camellia bushes 'til they were nothing but twigs. After that I dragged Scout home and waited, in dread, for Atticus to come home. When the door slammed I heard him call my name with a voice so cold it could make ice cubes. I knew then that I was in more peril then than with Ms. Dubose and her CSA pistol. Atticus told be to go and apologize to her, and as a result I got sentenced to mendin' her bushes every Saturday and readin' to her for two hours each day for a whole month. As she lashed out my punishment I could do nothing but mumble inaudibly; if I opposed her Atticus would surely get my goat.

Now I will be in my own personal hell each day, tryin' to keep my calm inside that ratty old lady's house until summer. Hope I live that long.

Jem Finch

To Kill A Mockingbird Journal Three

Journal #3

Chapters 8-9

Perspective of Francis

Journal,

Grandma has sent me to my room for makin' a mess at the table. I'm all right with that - it means I don't have to do dishes. Finally that girl has left our house and gone home to Maycomb County. She is so wild and fanatic it makes my head hurt. She gave me a black eye when she attacked me. I don't care, at least she got in trouble. Serves her right, she called me a whore-lady, and even though I don't know what it means I know it is bad. Grandma says that Uncle Atticus teaches her those words and doesn't do anything about it, that he can't be entrusted with children. I agree. It is bad enough that he lets them run wild and now he is goin' and defending an African American. Finches will never be able to walk the streets again, after he has gone and disgracin' the family.

I can not wait until mum and dad come and pick me up from Grandma's. The next time time they send me here I am debating whether to running away. Don't hear me wrong, staying at Grandma's is real nice and all, but I don't think I could stand to be acquainted with Scout again. Unfortunately I think that I might see her again all to soon for my liking.

After Scout got in trouble for smacking me, we went home and Uncle Jack went to go talk to Scout. When he came out, he gave me a look that Grandma and Mum give me when I am in trouble. That perplexes me and I wonder what he found out. I don't think I did anything wrong - Scout deserved everything that she got, and her father too. She is much too foolish. She thinks that her daddy is right to be defending that African American, and that she is going to marry that short boy, Dill. But the look that Uncle Jack gave me still bothers me.

Sincerely,

Francis

To Kill A Mockingbird Journal Two

Journal #2

Chapters 4-7

Perspective of Ms. Maudie Atkins

Dear Diary,

Today I found another patch of nut grass in my garden. The weed becomes worse and worse as the summer progresses. Now that school is out for the children I see Atticus's kids and their friend often, stopping by to get a squirt of milk from my cow or take a break from their endless string of activities. Most of the time I busy myself in my garden or watch them in the evening from the porch. Oftentimes I bake them a cake and watch them polish off the plate, listening to them quibbling with each other.

Lately I have been noticing Scout coming here more often and alone, without Jem and Dill. I try not to mention it to Scout, but I sense that she is teetering on the edge of their group. Those boys seem to be evading Scout, and so I let Scout sit with me while I garden or on the porch while twilight fades to darkness. Most of the times we are as silent as a snake slinking through the grass, but one evening Scout asked me, "Miss Maudie, do you think Boo Radley is still alive?" This surprised me for two reasons, the first being we almost never speak, and the second being that I didn't know anyone would think Arthur would be dead. I remember the poor child when he was much younger; he was such a sweet child but became of his harsh, foot-washing Baptist father. Now he is so holed up in that house and what with those numerous rumors about him being malignant hanging about, if he wasn't crazy then, he is now.

Just yesterday I was relaxing on the porch when I heard a roar that startled me so badly I thought that my heart would stop completely. I ran out to the street to see Nathan Radley with a shotgun held in his hand, staring hard at something running off in the bushes. He said he had just shot because he saw a Negro in his collard patch, although I have my suspicions that this "white Negro" is only a bunch of certain neighborhood children who came to the seen moments later, one without his pants. They shouldn't torture that man like that; the next time they sneak in there his brother won't be as kind to aim at the sky. But suspicions are suspicions, and if I go about telling them I will be as bad as Miss Stephanie Crawford.

Well, the sun is bright and I am going to get as much out of it as I can. Off to the garden.

Sincerely,

Maudie Atkins

To Kill A Mockingbird Journal One

To Kill A Mockingbird

Journal #1

Chapters 1-3

Perspective of Calpurnia

I don't know what I am to do with that girl. Always shooting her mouth of and not caring what comes out. That poor child, Walter, probably hadn't eaten a full meal that year. He had been comfortable at that table until Scout condescended him to drenching his meal in syrup. I had to drag her into the kitchen and give her a lesson on courtesy. I told her Walter was our company and it wasn't her position to be intimidating him and remarking on his ways like she was to be determining what was right and wrong. I knew she thought malevolent thoughts of me then, but disgracin' and embarrassin' him like that was not acceptable. After that I made her go and get her plate from the table, sending her out with a smack, to prevent her to doing any more damage to that boy's esteem.

I had hoped that spending the summer with that proper boy, Dill, would have taught her a few manners. There for the summer he stayed with Ms. Rachel Haverford, his aunt. But the eccentric boy got Jem into running onto the Radley's property. Thank heavens he didn't get caught; those Radleys are a suspicious bunch, but what with all that gossip about them no one knows what to believe. Now that Dill has gone back to Mississippi I am hoping that Scout and Jem will mellow out as the school year progresses.

Unfortunately Scout's been having some trouble already. Smacked by the teacher and sent in the corner on the first day, I'm concerned for what she might get into the rest of the year. I overheard she and Mr. Atticus talking that evening. The teacher, Ms. Caroline, seems to be discouraging her from readin' and writin'. That irked me; the teacher has no right to be telling her not to read and write. Is it not the teacher who is to be teaching, not the one to be removing what children have learned? Here's to hopin' for that girl, and to hoping for the rest of that broken family.

To Kill A Mockingbird